Self-assembly core-shell BixY1-xVO4@g-C3N4 as an S-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst for pure water splitting

The self-assembly core-shell BixY1-xVO4@g-C3N4 (BYVO@PCN) photocatalyst was synthesized by in-situ polycondensation of melamine on the surface of BixY1-xVO4. The formation mechanism of the core-shell structure was mainly attributed to the excessive unpaired O atoms existed on the surface of BYVO, which could absorb the intermediate products of polycondensation. In addition, the core-shell BYVO@PCN can achieve photocatalytic pure water splitting into H2 and O2 which is about 5 times higher than the BixY1-xVO4. Compared with PCN, BYVO@PCN tackles the problem that little O2 evolution in pure water splitting by PCN. Furthermore, BYVO@PCN forms an S-scheme heterojunction instead of a type Ⅱ heterojunction, which significantly accelerates the separation of charge carriers.